The Permanent Commission of the Spanish Episcopal Conference has published a letter addressed to the People of God to thank the massive participation of the faithful and of Spanish society during the recent apostolic visit of Leo XIV to Spain. In the message, the bishops highlight the welcome given to the Pontiff during his tour of various points in the country and encourage Catholics to delve deeper into the content of his addresses.
The text, approved after the meeting held on 22 and 23 June in Madrid, reflects the sentiments of the Spanish bishops following a visit which, they stress, has left a profound mark on the life of the Church in Spain.
“Thank you for your enthusiastic participation”
The members of the Permanent Commission underline that, although the main protagonist of the trip was Leo XIV, the response of the faithful also deserves special recognition.
The bishops thank the presence of thousands of people in the streets, squares, stadiums and churches of cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, San Feliu de Llobregat, the Canary Islands and San Cristóbal de La Laguna, as well as the coverage provided by the media for those who could not attend in person.
The message makes particular mention of the families who presented their children to receive the Pope’s blessing, the priests who accompanied pilgrimages and groups, the religious men and women, and the numerous laypeople who responded to the Pontiff’s call to live and proclaim the faith in today’s society.
Recognition of institutions and volunteers
The Episcopal Conference also expresses its gratitude to the State institutions that collaborated in the organisation of the visit.
The letter expressly mentions the Royal Household, the Cortes Generales, the various public administrations and the State Security Forces and Corps for their involvement in carrying out the planned events.
Likewise, the bishops acknowledge the work carried out by the media, the organising teams and the numerous volunteers who took part in the preparation and execution of the apostolic journey.
“The journey has already been worthwhile”
Beyond the success in terms of attendance, the bishops emphasise the spiritual dimension of the visit. In their message they state that these days have served to “lift our gaze and contemplate the glorious Cross of Jesus Christ, source of joy and consolation”.
For this reason, they encourage the faithful to re-read the speeches and messages delivered by Leo XIV during his stay in Spain, to share them and to put them into practice in everyday life.
The Permanent Commission considers that the visit should not be reduced to a one-off event, but should become an impetus for the evangelising life of the Church in Spain.
Continuing the path begun by Leo XIV
The document concludes with an invitation to keep alive the spirit of communion and mission that marked the apostolic journey.
The bishops affirm their commitment to accompany the pastoral fruits sown by the Pontiff during his visit and call for continued joint work in proclaiming the Gospel, defending the dignity of the human person and serving the common good.
In this way, the Spanish Episcopal Conference seeks to extend the impact of a visit that has been one of the most significant ecclesial events of recent years for the Church in Spain.